A model for teaching proof writing to college mathematics students is presented. The model has six phases: (1) open (understanding the theorem by reading it, listing, and writing it out); (2) brainstorm; (3) instantiate (perception of the chain of inferences linking hypothesis to conclusion); (4) convince; (5) reflect; and (6) extend. Strategies…

Investigates how word processing experience influences tenth grade student performance on a writing assessment. Examines factors influencing a student's decision about using word processors for writing; relationship between experience with the technology and scores on word processed essays; and differences in length, neatness, mechanical…

Presents a model for structuring writing in the geography class with a focus on using maps to prompt writing that will promote student interaction with geographic concepts. Delineates four components of successful writing as fluency, flexibility, frequency, and formality. Includes suggestions for geographic writing activities. (MJP)

Describes a unit that focuses on the integration of African Americans into the U.S. Armed forces during World War II. Utilizes primary sources spanning the years 1938-1945. Provides information and Web site addresses for the documents, discussion questions, and information on assessment. (CMK)

Describes activities for an elementary school library media center that are centered around folktales with forest settings, including people as well as animals and plants which inhabit the forest. Highlights include reading and discussing folklore, descriptive writing exercises, small group activities, and examples of 12 literary characters. (LRW)

Explains the Big6 approach to teaching information skills and describes its use in a high school social studies class to improve student test scores, teach them how to learn, and improve the teachers' skills. Highlights include the balance between content and process, formative and summative evaluation, assignment organizers, and study tips. (LRW)

Presents an example of a completed Patchwork Text assignment written by one of the students in a course for primary school student teachers becoming specialists in science. Writing examples are provided under these main topics: What is Science?; Science and Society; Science and the Media; Science and Religion; and Science and Stereotypes. (AEF)

Outlines the author's experiences of introducing the Patchwork Text in the teaching of a module about the sociology and politics of education. A clear focus in the paper is on the role of the student as an active agent and of working with Patchwork Texts as a way in which students can take ownership of their learning processes. (Author/AEF)

Describes and evaluates the introduction of the Patchwork Text assignment in the assessment of a Masters-level course on Intercultural Management taught to students of various nationalities and linguistic/cultural backgrounds as part of a Masters-level business education program. Begins by addressing the question of whether the Patchwork Text…

This book edited by Rainere Bromme and Elmar Stahl aims to establish a foundation for the study of the pedagogical value of using the development of hypertext documents as a student assignment. The editors compiled an eclectic collection of 10 chapters from eight different contributors. Chapters fall within three general categories: theoretical…

Examines high school students' use of the World Wide Web to complete assignments. Findings showed the students used a good variety of resources, including libraries and the World Wide Web, to find information for assignments. However, students were weak at determining the quality of the information found on web sites. Students did poorly at…

This ethnographic study compared the classroom practices of low, moderately, and highly engaging third-grade teachers in eight Catholic schools. Findings indicated that in low engaging classrooms, teachers used many practices that undermined motivation. Moderately engaging teachers used many potentially motivating practices but assigned tasks that…

This article examines a process for teachers to use when deciding whether to adapt a text for a student. The following five options for text adaptations are described: bypass reading, decrease reading, support reading, organize reading, and guide reading. Adaptations for student work products and for tests are also addressed. (Contains…

Described are activities using ants. Ant hunting, a list of books on the topic, information, and ant farming are included. The procedures for assembling and maintenance of an ant farm are presented. (KR)

Uses junk mail, newspaper advertisements, and other promotional material to overcome one teacher's lack of instructional material and to teach multilingual and multicultural teenagers and adults the basics of consumer advocacy and American civics. Notes that the students gained power through literacy that would not have been possible with…